| Scientific Name | Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. uviforme | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | AIZOACEAE | Synonyms | Conophytum clarum N.E.Br., Conophytum colorans Lavis, Conophytum framesii Lavis, Conophytum francisci L.Bolus, Conophytum hillii L.Bolus, Conophytum julii Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen, Conophytum litorale L.Bolus, Conophytum meleagris L.Bolus, Conophytum pardivisum Tischer, Conophytum praeparvum N.E.Br., Conophytum praeparvum N.E.Br. var. praeparvum, Conophytum praeparvum N.E.Br. var. roseum Lavis, Conophytum prolongatum L.Bolus, Conophytum rooipanense L.Bolus, Conophytum stipitatum L.Bolus, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. forma framesii (Lavis) Tischer, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. forma meleagris (L.Bolus) Tischer, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. var. clarum (N.E.Br.) Rawé, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. var. litorale (L.Bolus) Rawé, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. var. occultum (L.Bolus) Rawé, Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. var. subincanum (Tischer) Rawé, Conophytum vanrhynsdorpense Schwantes, Mesembryanthemum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A4d | Assessment Date | 2021/12/10 | Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo | Justification | This dwarf succulent is endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape province of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 11,005 km2 and area of occupancy (AOO) of 128 km2. The large population is in decline due to the illegal ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The continued threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high for this particular taxon. However, the broad geographic distribution, numerous localities and large population size is likely to limit any decline to 20-40% of the population within the next three generations (90 years). Climate change is also likely to contribute to low levels of population declines. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion A4. |
Distribution | Endemism | South African endemic | Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape | Range | This succulent is endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Fynbos, Succulent Karoo | Description | This dwarf succulent is primarily found in the Succulent Karoo biome but is also found in the Fynbos biome. It occurs mainly within the Knersvlakte bioregion but also in the Namaqualand Hardeveld, Namaqualand Sandveld, Trans-Escarpment Succulent Karoo and Shale Renosterveld bioregions. It is widespread across 12 vegetation units. The plants are typically found on expanses of quartz stones, occasionally on exposed areas of granite or, more rarely, on calcrete. It is frequently found in the partial shade of larger shrubs.
This taxon has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus.
This taxon appears to be shorter lived than other subspecies and has a generation length of 20 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats | | Many of the plants confiscated by the authorities in South Africa have only been identified to species level so all the subspecies are treated the same here and this taxon is therefore believed to be experiencing initial levels of decline due to illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents. This taxon has been highly sought after by collectors and is highly likely to remain so in future. However, this taxon has a relatively large population that is found across numerous localities. This is likely to limit any decline to no more than 40% of the population within the next three generations (90 years).
There is no decline in habitat quality for this succulent as inferred by changes in vegetation cover determined from changes in Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) between 1984 and 2018 using Landsat data (Venter et al. 2020). Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this taxon. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 29% and 76% by 2080 for this taxon. However, as this taxon occurs across several vegetation units it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 9%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population | This dwarf succulent is known from numerous localities and subpopulations where it is often locally abundant. There are no formal estimates of population size for this taxon but there are likely between 500,000 and 750,00 mature individuals. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade.
| Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. uviforme | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. var. subincanum (Tischer) Rawé | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Conophytum julii Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography | Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Opel, M.R. 2004. The rediscovery of Crassula alcicornis. Haseltonia 10:38-40.
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
|
Citation | | Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. uviforme. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
 Comment on this assessment
|
 © A.J. Young
Search for images of Conophytum uviforme subsp. uviforme on iNaturalist
|
